Device for removal of tar and other deleterious substances from tobacco smoke



Oct. 4, 1960 H. A. LEBERT 2,954,785

nsvxcs FOR REMOVAL OF TAR AND OTHER DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES FROM TOBACCO SMOKE Filed May 28, 1958 6 a /0(' j T z 7 I I g- DEVICE FOR REMOVAL OF TAR AND OTHER DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES FROM TOBACCO SMOKE Herbert A. Lebert, Millbrae, Calif., assignor to Mac- Farland, Aveyard & Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 28, 1958, Ser. No. 7 38,378

3 Claims. (Cl. 131189) The present invention relates to tobacco smoking structures such as a cigarette and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved method and means of removing tobacco tars from tobacco smoke prior to the inhalation of the smoke by the smoker.

According to the novel aspects of the present invention the structure presents means for damming the downstream end of the cigarette except for a restricted smoke outlet area to allow smoke flow therethrough, accelerating the velocity of the smoke longitudinally forward of the dammed downstream end of the cigarette to a velocity in excess of 100 mph. by reducing the cross-sectional area of the smoke stream to .0005 to .001 square inch, and impinging the heavy tobacco tars contained in the high velocity smoke stream on the cigarette fibers prior to the flowing of the smoke into the mouth of the smoker.

According to other features of the present invention there is provided a tobacco tar removal structure which may be mounted upon a cigarette holder enabling the assembly to be assembled with a cigarette either of the filter tip or non-filter tip type. On the other hand, the tobacco tar removal structure may be interchangeably secured directly to a filter tip or a non-filter tip type of cigarette. Regardless of how the tar removal structure is assembled with the smoking structure or cigarette, the tar removal structure includes a coring portion for telescoping insertion within the downstream end of the cigarette. The tobacco tar removal structure also includes a barrier or dam for blocking the outlet end of the cigarette except for the downstream outlet of the coring portion. When the tobacco tar removal structure is in assembly with the cigarette or other smoking structure, the fibers of the cigarette are contained within the passageway defined by the tubular coring portion and which constitute an impingement barrier. The coring portion has an internal diameter of a predetermined size enabling the velocity of the smoke to be greatly accelerated and thereby allowing the tars contained in the smoke to be removed from the smoke as a consequence of their impingement upon the cigarette particles contained within the coring portion.

The majority of present day filter-tip cigarettes use cellulose filaments in varied amounts with various binders and additives. However, in spite of the many thousands of fine filaments, the filter tips still have considerable air space between the filaments for a diameter filter tip can be compressed into a diameter rod or bundle, that is, a reduction in cross-sectional area from approximately .07 square inch to .01 square inch or the equivalent of an air passage of approximately .06 square inch or diameter. Such a large air passage is in marked contrast to the ,4, inch or less orifice herein used to create high velocity-impingement tar collection as above described.

It is clear that conventional filter tips trap or collect 2,954,785 Patented Oct. 4, 1960 such tar as they do stop by virtue of the maze formed by the filaments and the circuitous path the smoke travels in passing along the length (approximately W of the filter tip.

In contrast to the above conventional filter tips, and in accordance with the construction of the tobacco tar removal structure as previously set forth, it will be appreciated that only a relatively few of the cigarette fibers are here used to entrap the cigarette tars impinged there against during the high velocity flow of the smoke across the relatively few cigarette fibers.

According to the present invention, an important object is to form the critical sized smoke passage or venturi in the tortuous smoke channel area so that the venturi will operate to Speed up the smoke to a terrific velocity exceeding, e.g. 100 ft. per second so that the heavy (high temperature formed) tar molecules or particles will not be able to meander their way through the tortuous smoke channel area, but will, instead, impinge against and come to rest on the fiber-like barrier that confronts or stands in their high speed, straight line path from the venturi. The lighter weight aromatic, low temperature formed smoke particles or fractions which go to make up a safe, enjoyable smoke will change their high speed path after striking the barrier and thereby will be deflected away from the barrier through the channel area and out through the open end of the tube.

If the filter tip construction is manufactured with an orifice or venturi area, for example, equivalent to an .028"-.030" diameter hole, all the tars regarded harmful by modern medical thinking will be deposited that is, impinged on the filter tip filaments and thereby removed from the tobacco smoke.

According to certain principles of the present invention, the entire cross-section of the smoke stream is subject to the action of the impingement barrier so that tars and the like are removed by high velocity smoke impingement against the barrier. Tests tend to indicate the present new technique is far more eflective than any previously known tar filtering device in effectively removing tars and especially the more dangerous high temperature tars from tobacco smoke while at the same time enabling the smoker to obtain a pleasurable smoke without a hard draw.

The results of research by independent experts in this field tend to indicate that the tars extracted from the lower temperature-burning ranges (560 to 720 C.) produce few or no cancers. The number of cancers in creased sharply through the use of tar taken from tobacco burning from the higher temperature ranges 720-880 C.). Tests have also shown that a cigarette burns between 800 to 880 C. so that the more dangerous high temperature tars are presently being inhaled by the cigarette smokers. (See Time magazine, April 22, 1957, page 50.)

By using an orifice with a .028 to .030 diameter and with the cigarette fibers forming the impingement barrier being disposed in confronting relation to the orifice, the best results are obtainable. In other words, by constructing a device incorporating the above dimentional range, the smoker may have a more pleasurable easy draw smoke with the high percentage removal of the tars including the more dangerous high temperature tar. Early tests of structure utilizing this principle tend to indicate that at least 40% of the tars may be removed. This 40% represents nearly of the high temperature tars while the low temperature aromatic fractions or tars are passed on to the smoker.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cigarette holder and tobacco tar removal structure combination which may be manufactured at a substantially reduced cost and which tar the mouthpiece portion 10a.

removal structure has the capacity to remove substantially all of the tars regarded harmful by modern medical thinking from the smoke prior to the passage of the smoke into the mouth of the smoker.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tobacco tar removal structure and cigarette combination whereby the tobacco tar removal structure may be attached to the cigarette prior to the packaging of the cigarettes or the tobacco tar removal structure may be sold as an independent unit and assembled by the smoker with the cigarette.

A still further important object of the present inven tion is to provide a tobacco smoking structure having novel means for separating tars from the tobacco smoke including a high percentage of the high temperature tars while at the same time allowing the smoke to be drawn through the cigarette without great difficulty and enabling a smoker to obtain a pleasurable smoke without the danger attendant with the drawing of the high temperature tars into the body and the lungs of the smoker.

While the tobacco tar removal structure has been illus* trated in conjunction with a filter tip cigarette it will be appreciated the structure could also be used in other tobacco smoking structures such as non-filter tip cigarettes or cigars.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating therein several embodiments and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cigarette and cigarette holder combination according to the principles of the present application;

Figure 2 is an exploded fragmentary view whereby the components of the holder and cigarette are shown independently of one another;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line IIIIII in Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 only showing the tar deposit subsequent to the smoking of the cigarette;

Figure 5 is an enlarged. cross-sectional view taken substantially on'the line VV of Figure 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the filter tip and of the cigarette with parts of the filter tip cigarettebroken away to show the high concentration of tobacco tars impinged upon the cigarette fibers of the cigarette; and

Figure 7. is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of -a filter tip cigarette and a modified tobacco tar removal structure in assembly therewith.

erally a cigarette holder structure having a mouthpiece portion 10a, a tubular coring portion 10b, and a tubular sleeve 10c.

As is apparent in Figures 3 and 4 the mouthpiece portion 10a has a central bore 10d in which one end of the coring portion 10b is telescoped in assembly with The mouthpiece portion 10a has an additional bore'which cooperates with-the inside surface of the coring portion 10a in defining a tubular smoke passagewaydesignated at 10c;

The periphery of the mouthpiece portion 10a is reduced to provide an annular surface area designated at 10 Disposed adjacent the surface 10 but radially outwardly 4 filter tip 13 to the cigarette 12. The filter tip 13 is comprised of hundreds of fibers 13b which may be of any suitable type such as cellulose. It will be appreciated the tobacco tar removal structure may be assembled with a conventional non-filter tip cigarette in much the same manner.

To assemble the holder structure 10 with the cigarette 11 the sleeve 100 may be suitably assembled with the mouthpiece portion 10a after the core portion 10b has been assembled with the mouthpiece portion 10a. This maybe brought about by axially aligning the bore of the tubular sleeve 10c with the filter tip 13 and urging the filter tip 13 against the core portion 10b disposed internally of the outer sleeve 10c. Relative movement is continued between the cigarette holder structure 10 and the filter tip 11 until the filter tip 13 is bottomed against the dam or circular surface 1011.

The core element 10b has a reverse taper 14 beginning generally at the dam surface 10h and extending upstream to beveled knife edge 15. The beveled edge aids in the telescoping of the filter tip 13 over the core portion 10b. During thetelescopingv of the filter top over the core portion 10b the filter tip fibers 13b are displaced slightly radially relative to one another but are not compacted. The internal diameter of the coring portion 10b at the beveled edge area 15 is predetermined so that a venturi passageway area 16- may be created radially inwardly thereof which venturi passageway area conforms to a certain dimensional flange as hereafter described. Downstream of the venturi passageway area-16 is an impingement barrier area 17 comprised of the filter tip fibers 13b lying within the confines of the coring portion 10b.

Upon applying a suction force to the mouthpiece por tion 10a smoke will be drawn through the cigarette 12 into the filter tip 13 and more particularly through the smoke passage area defined internally of the coring portion 10b and then through the smoke passage 10e into the mouth of the smoker. The smoke velocity is accelerated as the smoke passes through the venturi area 16 at the same time removing the deleterious tars, etc.

and is directed at the impingement barrier area at 17 to allow tars T to be' removed from the smoke as a consequence of their impingement against the barrier area 17. As the smoke strikes the barrier area or the filter tip fibers 13b the smoke is deflected until the smoke is allowed to pass into the passage area 10e.-

In the past, theproblem presented has been one of providing sufiicient smoke flow to satisfy the smoker while In the structure of the present invention, this problem is overcome by providing the venturi orifice or passageway 16 which greatly increases the velocity of smoke stream passing through the filter tip so that when the stream Strikes the barrier, the tar is lodged and collected upon the peripheral surface of the fiber or other suitable material and the resulting purified smoke alters its course through the structure and passes onto the smoker through the downstream end of the filter tip. By referring to the removal of tars, the term tars should be regarded as embracing tars, resins, and other harmful substances. While there will be variations in' the size of the orifice,

' depending upon the character of the smoke, the density thereof is an annular shoulder 10g. The surface 10f and the shoulder 10g provide a seat for the outer tubular sleeve 100 to enable the sleeve to be secured in frictional of the cigarette mass, etc. in general effective results are obtained when the venturi smoke passage area comprises .0005 to .001 square inch. Very satisfactory results have been obtained where the venturi smoke passage area is .0006 to .0008 square inch. As a preferred example, I

have employed effectively a venturi smoke passagearea.

approximating .0-007'square inch which gives excellent tar removal and ease of drawing.

The operation resulting from the structure shown herei cross-section of the smoke stream is subject to the action of the impingement area 17 so that the tars T and other harmful particles are removed by the foregoing high velocity impingement action upon the barrier 17.

As is evident from the fragmentary view of the filter tip cigarette shown in Figure 6 a very substantial mass of tar is removed from the tobacco smoke and confined along a localized central area of the filter tip which may be readily seen by an observer by breaking open the cigarette in the manner shown in Figure 6.

The components of the holder 10 may be comprised of any suitable material with the mouthpiece portion 10a suitably constructed of thermo-plastic and with the outer sleeve 10c and the coring element or portion 10b also being made from any suitable material such as thermoplastic or metal.

The term cigarette fibers as used herein is intended to be regarded as a generic term encompassing both tobacco fibers and cellulose fibers.

As shown in Figure 7 is a modified form of the present invention wherein the filter tip cigarette 11 has been identified by identical numerals. Secured in assembly with the filter tip cigarette is a tobacco tar removal structure including a coring portion 20b and a dam portion 2011. The tobacco tar removal structure 20 may be made from any suitable material such as metal or thermo-plastic and the like.

Assembly of the tobacco tar removal structure 20 and the filter tip cigarette 11 may be brought about in the same manner as previously described. In this regard the coring portion 20b is centered with respect to the filter tip 13 and relative movement is brought about until the dam portion 20h is bottomed against the cigarette fibers 13b at the downstream end of the filter tip 13. It will be noted the darn 20h also frictionally engages with the outer sleeve 13a to prevent smoke leakage between the dam 2% and the sleeve 13a. The coring portion 20b is formed identical to the coring portion described in the first form of the invention and includes a beveled tip end to facilitate telescoping of the coring portion relative to the cigarette. Also, the coring portion 20b has a reverse taper 24 enabling a localized venturi area 26 to be created at the upstream end of the coring portion 20b. The cigarette fibers lodged within the confines of the coring portion 20b downstream of the-venturi passage area 26' comprises an impingementbarrier 27. Tar may be collected on the fibers comprising the barrier 27. in the same manner previously described.

The dotted lines identifying the tobacco tar removal structure 20 indicate the manner in which relative move- 'ment may be brought about to permit the tobacco tar removal structure to be assembled with the cigarette 11.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for removal of tar and other deleterious substances from cigarette tobacco smoke, a coring tube of a length to project a substantial distance into fibrous material in the butt end portion of a cigarette, the forward end of the coring tube having a sharp edge to facilitate penetration into the cigarette in response to relative longitudinal pressure applied to the cigarette and to the coring tube, the inside diameter of the coring tube tapering from smallest diameter adjacent to said edge to a slightly larger diameter progressively toward the opposite end of the tube, and means fixedly connected to said opposite end of the tube and disposed to project radially entirely thereabout and facing forwardly and providing a damming surface engageable against the butt end of a cigarette into which the coring tube has been projected for thereby blocking issurance of smoke from, the end of the cigarette except through the coring tube, the coring tube receiving therein and compressing a core of the fibrous cigarette material therein and being dimensioned in said smallest diameter forward end internal portion to coact with the encompassed fibrous cigarette material to define a generally venturi-like smoke passage area while by reason of the increasing, diameter rearwardly within the tube the fibrous cigarette material in the increasing diameter region serves as a tar impingement barrier against which the smoke passing said venturi passage impinges at accelerated speed and then by reason of the lesser compaction of the material progressively rearwardly passes on to the rear outlet of the tube.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the damming means has extending forwardly therefrom a tubular sleeve providing a socket for retainingly receiving the butt end portion of a cigarette therein.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said tube and said sleeve constitute forward extensions of a cigarette holder mouthpiece having va passage therethrough with which the tube connects and which mouthpiece has a forward end portion providing said damming means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 17, 1956 

